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Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more
balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge
information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal
growth, green living, creative expression and the products
and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

EMPOWERED
Helping Kids Step into
Their Best Selves
by Judith Fertig

20 SALT AIR IN THE CITY
Salt Rooms Soothe Allergies
and Skin Conditions
by Avery Mack

22 JUST WALK

22 Minutes a Day
Boosts Well-Being
by Randy Kambic

24 A GOOD FOOD FIGHT

Keeping Food Out of the Trash Bin
by April Thompson

26 BARNET BAIN ON HOW
Fresh Thinking Challenges
Rigid Mindsets

28 EARTH GUARDIANS

Kids Say No to Global Warming
by April Thompson

30 YAY FOR PLAY

Ways to Spark a Child’s Creativity

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24

by Linda Sechrist

by April Thompson

Check us out and connect with us on Facebook. Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest!

22

CREATIVITY CAN SAVE
THE WORLD

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can pick up a free copy in your area, please contact us at 616604-0480 or email us at: Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com.

BEYOND OUR FULL “CARBON NEUTRAL”
DIGITAL ISSUE EACH MONTH...

16

16 GROWING UP

32 THE GARDEN CURE

38

by Sandra Murphy

38 HANDLE WILD THINGS
WITH CARE

How to Help Injured Animals
by Sandra Murphy

natural awakenings

August 2016

3

letterfrompublisher

L

earning about how kids develop confidence and helping adults redevelop
and retain theirs is a primary focus of
my life coaching practice, particularly
with women. Studies from institutions
such as Learning Through the Arts from
the Johns Hopkins School of Education
and Learning and The Dana Consortium
Report on Arts and Cognition show
that children introduced to the arts at a
young age tend to better adjust socially
and excel academically. It helps them
appreciate diversity, understand cultural
complexities, work in community and
even experience physical health.

In my youth I considered myself an average student academically, but
once I mastered a sport or created an art project I felt accomplished. Finishing a race, even in the middle of the pack, would bring tears to my eyes.
After I choked on a final exam, I’d belt out a tune and for that moment feel
good about myself. I loved immersing myself in anything associated with
nature and could sit out in the woods for hours and just think; ponds and
creeks unfailingly calmed me. Today we call this a meditative state; to me
it’s a natural way of life.
Funding cuts for arts curricula make it even more vital that parents
play an active role in introducing dance, music, painting, nature and other
forms of art and play into their children’s lives to foster their future success
as confident and competent world citizens. It’s part of how we give them
the needed tools to buck up when they fail, an inevitable part of learning,
as we also give them loving resources necessary to developing the deep
inner strength that enables them to pick themselves up and keep going,
whatever comes.
In appreciation of artful parenting,

Never Glossy. Always Green.
Natural Awakenings practices environmental sustainability by
printing on post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based ink.
This choice avoids the toxic chemicals and high energy costs of
producing shiny, coated paper that is hard to recycle.

4

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Natural Awakenings
Magazine of West Michigan

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NaturallyWestMI

NaturallyWestMI

Natural Awakenings
Magazine of West Michigan

photo courtesy of The Healthy Hound Cookbook

newsbriefs

Frosty Treats for Furry Friends
Cooling Recipes Alert

I

n our July issue on page 33 we printed a recipe for
Watermelon Slush. One of our wonderful readers
questioned the ingredient Coconut Water in the recipe and
went to the website that we listed in the article under a Full
list of Foods to Avoid: Tinyurl.com/ASPCA-Foods2Avoid and
found that because of the high potassium content, coconut
water should not be given to pets.

Grand Haven
Coast Guard Festival

T

he focus of the annual Grand Haven Coast Guard
Festival is the National Coast Guard Memorial Service
honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the service of
their country. Since 1924 Grand Haven has celebrated our
heroes with family events and fun activities. This week long
celebration takes place July 29-August 7 in “Coast Guard
City USA”, Grand Haven. Events include entertainment,
downtown carnival, fireworks, two parades, kids day,
senior day, car show, ship tours, street dance, and even a
cardboard boat race.
For more information: CoastGuardFest.org

Ottawa County Parks
– Day Camp for Kids

T

his day camp
for children is
designed to engage
kids with nature
through activities
including games, stories and crafts. Survival! August 3 and
Weather Watchers August 10. 9:30-11:30am. Hemlock
Crossing Nature Education Center. Registration required.
The Nature Education Center, located within Hemlock
Crossing Park, has exhibits, a wildlife den with critters and
activities, a wildlife viewing area where you can watch birds
and animals at the feeders, and a gift shop. The center also
hosts a variety of educational programs for schools, special
groups and the public. Funded primarily by a dedicated
property tax, the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation
Commission promises opportunities for outdoor recreation
and nature education for today and for future generations.
Ottawa County parks feature year round programs for all
ages. For more info: Call Nature Education Center at 616786-4847 or NatureCenterMiOttawa.org/Parks

beinspired
The basic sources of happiness are a good heart, compassion, and love. If we have these mental attitudes, even if we are
surrounded by hostility, we feel little disturbance. On the other hand, if we lack compassion and our mental state is filled
with anger or hatred we will not have peace. — Dalai Lama
natural awakenings

Find what you love
Do what you love
Challenge yourself
Take fear in one hand
And courage in the other
And walk on
Unknown

by Mary Leslie
Drawing since the day she could hold a
crayon, Mary Leslie also spent much of
her childhood collecting stray dogs and
cats, injured birds and the occasional
squirrel. Because her love of all things
furred and feathered was matched by
her passion to create, she learned to
carefully observe and draw the creatures in her care.
Leslie studied art at the Savannah
College of Art and Design and the Art
Institute of Atlanta, going on to paint
murals throughout the Southeast. After
moving from suburban Atlanta to a
small farm in Madison, Georgia, she
began focusing on nature and animals.
Spring Fever was commissioned
by a grandmother who asked Leslie
to paint a representation of her five
granddaughters. “She told me that
they loved to dress up and dance,”
says Leslie, whose richly hued oil on
canvas captures the sheer exuberance
of youth and joyful movement. “It’s
my goal in every painting to convey
the character and personality of my
subjects and pass it on to the viewers,
hoping they can catch a glimpse of
what I enjoy so much.”
View the artist’s portfolio at
MaryLeslieStudio.com.

6

West Michigan Edition

NaturalWestMichigan.com

Play is often talked
about as if it were
a relief from serious
learning. But for
children, play is
serious learning.
Play is really the
work of childhood.
~Fred Rogers

elaying kindergarten enrollment for
one year shows significant mental
health benefits for children, according
to a Stanford University study published
by the National Bureau of Economic
Research. Reviewing results from a
mental health survey completed by
more than 35,000 Danish parents, the
researchers saw that youngsters held
back from kindergarten for as little as
one year showed a 73 percent reduction
in inattentiveness and hyperactivity for an average child at age 11, compared to
children enrolled the year earlier.
Measuring inattentiveness and hyperactivity reflect a child’s ability to selfregulate. The generally accepted theory is that young people that are able to stay
focused, sit still and pay attention longer tend to do much better in school.
“This is some of the most convincing evidence we’ve seen to support what
U.S. parents and policymakers have already been doing—choosing to delay entry
into kindergarten,” says Stanford Graduate School of Education Professor Thomas
S. Dee. In addition to improved mental health, children with later kindergarten
enrollment dates also exhibited superior emotional and social skills.
The number of U.S. children entering kindergarten at age 6 instead of 5
has progressively increased to about 20 percent, according to the study. Many
parents are opting to delay kindergarten enrollment for a year to give their
children a leg up in physical and emotional maturity and social skills.

Grape Juice Boosts Memory
and Driving Skills

R

esearch from the UK University of Leeds has confirmed that drinking just one glass of grape juice a
day increases spatial memory and driving abilities. The
researchers attribute the brain boosting benefits to the
polyphenols in the grapes.
The study followed 25 healthy mothers between
the ages of 40 and 50. Each had young children and
worked more than 30 hours a week. The mothers
drank 12 ounces of Concord grape juice every day for 12
weeks and had their driving skills tested before and after the study period using
a computer simulator.
Louise Dye, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Leeds and senior
author of the study, notes, “This research is very promising, as it suggests that
the cognitive benefits associated with Concord grape juice are not exclusive
to adults with early memory decline. We saw these benefits even after the
grape juice was no longer being consumed, suggesting a long-term effect of
dietary flavonoids.”
8

West Michigan Edition

NaturalWestMichigan.com

Breastfed
Babies Have
Fewer Colds
and Ear
Infections

A

study from the University of
Texas has found that increased
breastfeeding decreases ear infections among nursing children. The
researchers followed 367 babies
between 1 and 12 months old from
2008 through 2014.
The scientists analyzed family
history traits of smoking, ear infections, breastfeeding and formula
feeding. Nose and throat mucosal
samples were taken throughout the
study period to identify infections,
and parents informed the researchers whenever the baby experienced
an infection.
The study was led by Dr. Tasnee
Chonmaitree, a pediatrics professor
from the University of Texas Medical
Branch at Galveston. “We clearly
showed that frequent upper respiratory infections, carriage of bacteria
in the nose and lack of breastfeeding are major risk factors for ear
infections,” he states. “Prolonged
breastfeeding was associated with
significant reductions in both colds
and ear infections, a common
complication of colds.”

Aromatherapy Soothes Allergies

R

esearch from Korea’s Chung-Ang University
has found that inhaling aromatherapy infusions comprising a combination of sandalwood,
frankincense and ravensara for five minutes twice
daily significantly reduces symptoms of allergies
after seven days. The researchers tested 54 men
and women, half of which were tested using a
placebo of almond oil.
Total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and
rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire
(RQLQ) results were both significantly lower in
the aromatherapy group. TNSS scores decreased
by more than half and RQLQ scores decreased by more than 60 percent. Scores
for fatigue and sleep quality also improved in the aromatherapy group.
“These findings indicate that inhalation of certain aromatherapy oils help
relieve perennial allergic rhinitis symptoms, improve rhinitis-specific quality of
life and reduce fatigue in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis,” Chung-Ang
University’s Seo Yeon Choi and Kyungsook Park explain in their paper.

esearch has shown that children with mothers
that live in sunnier locations during their second
trimester are significantly less likely to have asthma
than other children.
A consortium of researchers from the University
of Kansas, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology analyzed data from both
hospitals and national surveys to determine sunlight
exposure for the mothers. Increased exposure to
sunlight increases levels of natural vitamin D.
“We’re not looking at sunny places versus nonsunny places,” clarifies David Slusky, a University
of Kansas assistant professor of economics. “We
looked at the relative differences of the level of sunlight at a particular place at a
particular time of year.”

Creativity is

allowing yourself
to make mistakes.
Art is knowing
which ones to keep.
~Scott Adams

designed methods to release
highest potency properties
n As seen on the “Today” show
n Kosher certified
n Classified G.R.A.S.

Never
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healthbriefs

Young Adult Insomnia
Linked to Chronic Pain

R

esearch from the University of Groningen,
in The Netherlands, has found that young
adults between 19 and 22 years old that don’t
sleep well may have more chronic pain later
in life. The researchers followed 1,750 people
for three years.
About 50 percent of the participants that had sleep problems at the beginning
of the study still had them at the end of the study. Roughly 38 percent of those
reported chronic pain after three years. This compares to 14 percent of those that
didn’t have sleep problems at the start of the research, but reported chronic pain at
its conclusion.
Overall, the study found that sleep problems were associated with more musculoskeletal pains, headaches and abdominal pain. The relationship occurred in both men
and women, but was stronger among women.

Legumes Facilitate Weight Loss

A

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review of 21 clinical trials has found
that just one daily serving of legumes
can facilitate an average drop of threequarters of a pound over a six-week period. Published in the journal Obesity, the
research analyzed results from studies that
tested a total of 940 men and women eating about three-quarters of a cup of beans,
lentils, chickpeas and other legumes each
day. The subjects reported feeling nearly one-third fuller on average after eating
about 5.6 ounces of these foods with their meals, compared with a control group’s
diet. These beneficial legumes may also reduce body fat percentages.
According to senior study author and physician John Sievenpiper, Ph.D., of St.
Michael’s Hospital’s Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center and the
University of Toronto, “Ninety percent of weight-loss diets fail, resulting in weight
regain, which may be due in part to hunger and food cravings. Knowing which
foods make people feel fuller longer may help them lose weight and keep it off.”

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ecotip
Vegan Leather

Walk the Talk with Cruelty-Free Shoes
With a wealth of luxury faux alternatives available in today’s
market, shoe lovers can obtain the quality footwear they
desire without incurring the usual environmental and human
health costs.
Vegan leather is an animal-friendly alternative to real
leather, derived from synthetic materials. No cow, sheep,
goat or any other animal is killed in order to make vegan
leather shoes, and for most people, that’s a good enough reason
to choose it over the “real” thing. Provided that we pick the right maker, it also
boasts the added advantage of being far more eco-friendly and sustainable than
conventional leather.
Elizabeth Olsen, founder of the luxury vegan shoe brand Olsenhaus, says,
“The only difference is the materials—one uses a dead animal’s skin preserved
in toxic chemicals; the other is made from a mixture of natural and manmade
materials that are better for animals and the environment.”
Twenty times more energy is used to create a leather hide than what is
required for synthesized material. Conventional leather tanning involves treating
animal skins with large quantities of toxic chemicals, including mineral salts, lead,
cyanide and formaldehyde. This process wreaks havoc on our environment and
the people that work in or live near tanneries, where chemical exposure can cause
sickness or even be lethal.
Olsen cautions that just because a shoe is vegan doesn’t mean it’s been made
in an eco-friendly way. She uses natural and manmade materials such as linen,
cotton, cork, wood, imitation leathers and recycled faux suede in her vegan shoe
line. To assess the quality of vegan leather shoes, she advises, “Shoppers can feel
the material and look at the grain to see if it’s faux; with faux, the grain will show
a repeating pattern. Also, look for labels noting materials either inside or on the
bottom of shoes.”
Olsen notes that an online search for vegan fashion will yield everything
from adult couture to baby clothes. Several websites and blogs report on the
latest vegan products. She especially likes GirlieGirlArmy.com for vegan lifestyle
and fashion.

Mix in warm water in a one-quart
spray bottle. Shake and use liberally.
Source: Kathleen Barnes

natural awakenings

August 2016

11

globalbriefs
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a
healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Scrambling Species

Climate Change Favors Some Birds over Others
Decades of data show that climate change is manipulating the way avian species move across continents. For
instance, the orchard oriole is losing prime habitat in the
South, but gaining more up north. Thousands of species
worldwide face the same dilemma. Specific birds need a
particular habitat, such as open spaces or groves of trees,
and some of their traditionally preferred spots are becoming unlivable.
England’s Durham University ecologist Phillip Stephens, along with researchers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the U.S. Geological
Survey, have compiled nearly half a century’s worth of occurrence data from
thousands of citizen scientists. Birders submitted their observations to the PanEuropean Common Birds Monitoring Scheme and the North American Breeding
Bird Survey for 145 terrestrial bird species native to Europe and 380 species native
to the United States.
“We used that information to generate a prior expectation for whether the species would’ve been advantaged or disadvantaged by climate change,” says Stephens.
The predictions were compared with actual bird abundance data from 1980 through
2010, and the populations that were expected to lose suitable habitat declined,
while those expected to find their habitats improve increased. He states, “Recent
climate change has already favored one set of species over another.”
Read the report at ClimateChange.Birdlife.org.

LOL TTYL

Hope for a New Generation
Despite being less confident than their elders, a
new study by PsychTests.com, in Montreal, reveals
that Millennials (those born between 1980 and
2000) are an ambitious and tenacious generation
that continues to prove potential critics wrong.
Labeled by some as self-entitled, arrogant and
immature from being coddled by hovering parents, the company’s research says
that Millennials are not afraid to push themselves to achieve lofty goals, work
hard or take on difficult challenges.
Collecting data from 1,035 people that took their Ambition Test, the researchers
looked at the differences between Millennials, Generation X (born between
1960 and 1980) and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1960) in terms
of their levels of aspiration, persistence and sense of self-efficacy. The study
reveals that while Millennials lagged a little behind the other two generations
on some factors related to ambition, the potential of these young adults should
not be underestimated.
“One can argue that Millennials’ hopeful and determined nature is a case of
idealism,” explains Ilona Jerabek, Ph.D., president of PsychTests. “Some have just
started out in the workforce, so they’re eager to prove themselves, which could
also mean that at some point they’ll be blindsided by the reality of what it’s like
to be out there in the real world.”
12

West Michigan Edition

NaturalWestMichigan.com

Toxic Trinkets

Low-Cost Jewelry May
Harbor Cadmium
In recent years, the European Commission has banned cadmium in all
jewelry sold in Europe, but those
shopping for low-cost jewelry in North
America from popular fashion chains
may be wearing products made with
cadmium, a heavy metal that can be
particularly toxic for kids. There are
no known risks for people that wear
contaminated jewelry, but swallowing
or chewing on a piece containing high
concentrations of the toxic metal could
allow it to seep into the body.
James Van Loon, director of risk
management at Health Canada’s
consumer product safety branch, says
that children’s bodies more readily
absorb the toxic metal, and because
they are more likely to put things in
their mouths, jewelry that is marketed to those under 15 should contain
virtually no cadmium.
Dr. Gérald Zagury, who performed tests and has published
several studies on heavy metals in
jewelry, says one sample contained
the highest amount of cadmium
ever reported in Canada for such
a product. “It’s pretty close to pure
cadmium,” he says. According to
Health Canada, cadmium is cheap
and melts at a lower point than more
commonly used zinc, lowering energy costs for product makers.
According to the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, cadmium is a known carcinogen
that can also lead to kidney failure,
bone loss and other complications
in those that are chronically exposed
over time.
Source: EWG.org

Good Reads

Fiction Readers Have More Empathy
The love of books may begin at any age, but for
most, it starts in childhood. Now, scientists are
studying the effects of reading on the brain with
MRIs, polls, surveys and experiments. The results
indicate that readers of fiction are more empathetic toward others. By engaging with a story, they
are temporarily placing themselves in a character’s
shoes, thus fostering empathy in real life, and literary reading amplifies this effect.
According to a Stanford University study, reading a challenging book also helps us become smarter, as well as more empathetic. By attempting to tackle harder books, we create new connections in our
minds that we might not have done otherwise. Neuroscientist Bob Dougherty
remarks, “The right patterns of ink on a page can create vivid mental imagery
and instill powerful emotions.”
David Comer Kidd, author of another related study, observes, “Like opening a
window to let fresh air into our home, literature opens up our minds to the myriad
ideas that we wouldn’t be able to experience on our own. We can pause to analyze the experiences depicted as if they were our own, expanding our experience
of the world.”

Show Stopper

Circuses Cease Exotic Animal Acts
The Ringling Brothers Circus made good on a
promise to retire their last contingent of performing
elephants to the Center for Elephant Conservation, in Polk City, Florida, with the last such show
streamed worldwide in May.
While Ringling will retain the services of tigers,
lions, leopards, horses, camels, dogs and kangaroos, the Mexican Congress has voted to prohibit
exotic animals under big tops across their country.
That means no more tigers jumping through hoops, elephants used as props or
monkeys dressed in tiny outfits. The bill requires circuses to report the wildlife they
own, which would then be made available to interested zoos.

Green Serenity
Sikkim Now a
Wholly Organic State

Sikkim, the northeastern Indian
state located between Bhutan and
Nepal, has rid its agricultural land
of pesticides, fertilizers, genetically
modified crops and other artificial
inputs on around 75,000 hectares,
or about 300 square miles, of agricultural land, making it its country’s
first organic state. Instead, farmers
use natural alternatives such as
green manure and compost.
Twelve years ago, the Pawan
Chamling-led government decided
to make Sikkim an organic farming
state through a declaration in the
legislative assembly. After the entry
of chemical inputs for farmland was
restricted and their sale banned,
farmers had no option but to go
organic.
Source: TheHindu.com

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Manuka Honey is gathered in the wild back country
of New Zealand from the native Manuka tree
(Leptospermum scoparium). The bees don’t use the
pollen from a variety of other flowers or plants, so
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communityspotlight

d
r
a
d
d
o
t
S
y
l
Emi

“A

writer is simply someone who
writes.” This is one of the uncomplicated mantras of Voice
& Vessel founder Emily Stoddard. She
believes that “your voice is yours, and it is
already with you. No qualifications or critics get to decide whether a voice is valid.”
Voice & Vessel is a studio space
in Grand Rapids where Stoddard offers
weekly writing workshops, monthly
writing circles, and coaching for writers. Her workshops are rooted in the
Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) Method,
which has been used by writers around
the world for over 30 years. The AWA
Method has five essential affirmations:
1. Everyone has a strong, unique voice.
2. Everyone is born with creative genius.
3. Writing as an art form belongs to all
people, regardless of economic class
or educational level.
4. The teaching of craft can be done
without damage to a writer’s original
voice or artistic self-esteem.
5. A writer is someone who writes.
“In the AWA method, we work
toward wholehearted writing,” says
Stoddard. “This is an open, freeing way
to face the empty page, put the words
down and see where they lead. We can
worry about grammar and form later. The
first step is opening up to our curiosity
and our voice.”
Originally from Grand Rapids, Stoddard spent a couple years in San Francisco
and discovered the AWA Method. “I was

by Julie Hurley

doing a lot of writing workshops out
there. It was wonderful to have that
sense of writing community. Any night
of the week, I could join a writing
group,” says Stoddard, who has been
writing for publication for over 15 years.
The AWA Method offered a new
way to approach the creative process.
“It spoke to me,” says Stoddard. “It is
one of the most generative methods
for writing I’ve found. It gets to that
free, open, follow-your-curiosity place
where creativity can just happen. That
is a place where many new writers are
scared to go to, and established writers want to find more consistently.”
After an intensive training with
AWA leaders in Chicago last fall, Stoddard became one of the only Certified
Leaders of the AWA Method in Grand
Rapids. This February, she welcomed
her first group of writers to her new
studio at Voice & Vessel.
“My hope is that the studio is an
inviting, safe space for risk-taking to
happen,” says Stoddard. “For people
to wonder: What does my voice sound
like? How do I play on the empty
page? It’s exciting to see what stories
bubble up.”
“It’s so simple - writing belongs to
everyone. But that’s what has allowed
it to be so profound for people,” she
says. “With Amherst, the act of writing becomes an invitation, and there
are practices and writing prompts to
help you show up. You’re invited to
the page. You’re encouraged to accept
the invitation. As adults, we don’t get
enough chances to learn so openly,
and we can forget how joyful it is to
put words on the page.”
Stoddard is conscious about
protecting the confidentiality of the
group, even from within. She encourages people to leave the pressures and
expectations of the outside world at

the door. She keeps the introductions
simple, and writers know each other
on a first-name basis only. First-time
writers and published writers often end
up writing together, without knowing
it. She even refrains from calling herself
a teacher. “We’re all equals, facing the
same blank page,” she says. “There’s
no hierarchy, no experts and no lowly
students, because everyone is accepting
that invitation to begin again.”
Voice & Vessel’s workshops last
four weeks, with eight people per workshop and plenty of individual support
for each writer. Her monthly writing circles hold up to 12 people and
provide a more reflective writing space.
Stoddard is also planning retreats, revision groups, and longer workshops for
later this year and 2017.
“My first workshop was in February 2016, and almost every workshop
has been full since then,” she says. “It’s
been an honor to write with so many
people, with so many unique voices.”
Stoddard says that it’s fun to watch
people’s reactions when they step into
her studio. “I made sure that it was cozy
and welcoming. I wanted it to feel like a
writer’s living room, rather than an office
environment or classroom,” Stoddard says.
“People have told me that they feel like
they’re on a retreat, not in Grand Rapids.”
One participant, Laurie LarsonDoornbos, had a glowing review for
Voice & Vessel on her blog ThisisMySymphony.net:
“It helps, too, that the studio space and
the workshop facilitator are a delight.
Stuffed easy chairs, ottomans, sofas.
Lamplight and bookshelves. Not a conference table or florescent light bulb in
sight. And our workshop leader, Emily?
She is a sweet young woman, willowlike and graceful, with what I suspect is a
wise, old soul. She is gentle and encouraging. But above all, she’s a confident
and skillful writer who knows her stuff.”
Voice & Vessel is located at 922 Fuller
Ave NE #112, Grand Rapids. Info:
VoiceandVessel.com or 616- 350-6210.
See ad page 7.
Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and
co-founder of Principia Media and Kili
Summit Club, two local businesses.
Married with two children, Hurley
summited Mt Kilimanjaro in 2014.

natural awakenings

August 2016

15

GROWING UP
EMPOWERED
Helping Kids Step into
Their Best Selves
by Judith Fertig

T

he plugged-in, stressed-out world
that challenges adults can be even
more difficult for teens in the throes
of hormones, peer pressure and a selfie
culture. Parents can help their children
thrive and become empowered individuals by nurturing desirable character traits
such as resourcefulness, resilience, perseverance, self-reliance, independence,
empathy and social competence.
Child psychologist Michele Borba,
Ed.D., of Palm Springs, California, is a
former classroom teacher and the mother
of three grown children who dispenses
advice at MicheleBorba.com/blog.
Her main parenting focus is character education, as reflected in her
latest book, Unselfie: Why Empathetic
Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me
World. “Tune in to what your kids love,”
advises Borba. “Then find learning experiences that help them develop traits they
need to be happy, productive adults.”

16

West Michigan Edition

This positive parenting approach—accentuating youthful desires
and strengths, instead of deficiencies
and weaknesses—helps young people
develop a secure footing in life. “Kids
are driven by their hearts,” observes
Borba. “A positive parent doesn’t do
the cookie-cutter approach, as in,
‘That’s what worked for other kids in
the neighborhood,’ nor even reference
what the parent did as a teen.” Teens
also impose upon themselves, thinking
that being trendy, beautiful, rich and
famous are valuable life goals. “The
positive parent looks at each child as an
individual, listens to what really makes
them light up, and then supports that.”

Dreaming Big

Landmark Worldwide, active in 125
cities globally, is committed to the idea
that people everywhere have the possibility of achieving success, fulfillment

NaturalWestMichigan.com

and greatness. Corporate leaders praise
its programs for helping participants
relate, communicate and perform well.
Josselyne Herman-Saccio, a Landmark
program leader in New York City,
remarks, “Every one of us has a dream,
yet too many of us choose our path
with fear, disguised as practicality. Our
kids might get the message that, ‘You
don’t do your dream as your career.’”
That thought can leave anyone feeling
like something is missing.
After putting off her own career as
a singer and ultimately deciding to go
for it, Herman-Saccio recorded That’s
What Love Can Do with her group Boy
Krazy. The song rose to the top of the
pop charts in 1993.
That empowering experience
helped her decide to help others—including her own three children—fulfill
their dreams. Today, Herman-Saccio
leads the Landmark Forum for adults,
and the company also offers a version
of the course for 13-to-17-year-olds,
an interactive, three-day program in
cities across the U.S. It helps teens first
understand their existing patterns of
thoughts and behaviors and then move
forward to create new possibilities and
face new challenges and discover a new
level of power, freedom, self-expression
and peace of mind. For a teen to register,
a parent or legal guardian must register
for or have completed the organization’s
adult forum and provide permission.
Teens planning for life after high
school get help identifying their career
passion at schools such as Upland
Hills School, in Oxford, Michigan.
Its emphasis on experiential learning culminates in a senior project the
teen produces, whether it’s writing
a novel, building a storage shed or
volunteering at the local senior citizen
center. Each must someway contribute
to the community. Beginning with the
student’s dream, they must work their
way through obstacles, setbacks and
all the steps required to bring a dream
to reality.

Emotional Literacy/Healthy
Risk-Taking

Sometimes parents need to address a
teen’s longing for friends and social
connections. For youths that especially
need to nurture their social skills, such

as high-functioning kids with autism or
Asperger’s syndrome, film school might
be an answer. At the Joey Travolta Film
School and summer camp, in Lafayette,
California, kids work together to make
a movie; they start with a script, create
sets, operate the camera, act and direct.
At the Hunter School, in Romney,
New Hampshire, kids dealing with
attention challenges can nurture mindbody awareness, energetic mindfulness
and sensory integration. It all helps
them get to know themselves and relate
better to others.
Outdoor skills can help teens
develop healthy risk-taking behaviors,
as well as teach resilience, perseverance
and self-reliance. SheJumps (SheJumps.
org), in Salt Lake City, offers young
women 6 to 18 years old an opportunity
to master outdoor living skills, boost
confidence and encourage leadership
via collaborating with strong female role
models. Fun activities include mountain
biking, skiing and trailblazing.

Leadership

Over time, experiential learning can
help youths develop leadership skills.
Lander, Wyoming’s National Outdoor
Leadership School, a gap-year program
for high school graduates taking a year
off before college, offers courses lasting
two weeks, several months or even a
full year. Activities include sea kayaking, Alaskan mountain and glacier
climbing and wilderness medicine.
Teens already on track and wanting
to develop additional leadership skills
can tap into motivational speaker and
self-help author Tony Robbins’ annual
Unleash the Power Within youth leadership program event. Groups of youths

14 to 17 years old collectively participate to create individual breakthroughs,
move beyond fears and limiting beliefs,
accomplish goals and realize true
desires. Application requirements include a good academic record, at least
20 hours of community service and a
guidance counselor’s recommendation.
Robbins maintains, “Grow and give is
what life is all about.”

Service to Others

A way for youngsters 5 to 19 years old to
become empowered is by joining a 4-H
group in urban, suburban or rural areas.
If we envision a farm kid raising a calf
to show at the state fair, that’s still one
facet of today’s 4-H, but far from the
entire scope. Founded in 1902, 4-H is a
global nonprofit dedicated to learning
by doing; specialties now range from
computer science and graphic design
to leadership, healthy living and the
performing arts.
Positive mentoring by adults and
developing community spirit ground
4-H clubs, camps and programs.
Research by Tufts University’s Institute
for Applied Research in Youth Development and America’s land-grant
colleges and universities shows that
people with a 4-H background are
more likely to give back to their
communities than others (see Tinyurl.
com/YouthDevelopmentStudy).
For Grammy-winner Jennifer Nettles,
of Nashville, 4-H meant learning to perform at an early age, even flying to Chicago to do it. “I don’t know that I would be
where I am today without 4-H,” she says.
“Mentors there help you. They helped me
with the skills of performing and learning
about being on stage; they also taught me
the importance of giving back.”

Sustainable Sustenance

Growing food for themselves and others
can be a great adventure for teens, while
fostering resourcefulness, perseverance
and ecological awareness. Seventeenyear-old Katie Stagliano launched Katie’s
Krops, in Summerville, South Carolina,
several years ago based on her desire to
fight hunger by growing food for people
that need it. Today, the enterprise offers
grants for youth in any area to start and
maintain a local garden, provided they
give away the produce to the hungry.

The initiative has grown to more than 50
gardens around the U.S.
Both Mobile Urban Growers, in
Mobile, Alabama, and Closer to Earth,
in Oklahoma City, empower youth
through exercising organic gardening
skills, environmental and food justice
advocacy and personal mentorship.
Empowering experiences for teens
don’t have to cost a lot or involve travel.
“Dream big, but start small. Look around
your own backyard, in your community,”
says Borba. “Teens can learn to pay it
forward in all kinds of ways. They can
get together with their peers and take
on a doable project to help others. They
may even need to start by learning to
self-regulate and manage stress by getting away from their phones and instead
being outside getting exercise.”
Casual family activities can provide opportunities for conversations
about what teens want in life or what
they’re worried about, and that opens
the door for adults to step up to help
mentor and empower their children.
“Boys are more likely to talk while
they’re doing something, like shooting baskets with you in the driveway,”
observes Borba. “Girls are more likely
to talk if it’s one-on-one.”
Positive parents actively listen and
then clarify what they heard from their
teens, says Herman-Saccio. This information helps point the way forward, to
more interactive dialogue, brainstorming,
problem-solving, helpful experiences and
eventually, youth empowerment.
Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood
AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from
Overland Park, KS.

natural awakenings

August 2016

17

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Waldorf Schools
Learning by doing and in-depth, selfpaced study are hallmarks of Waldorf
schools across the country.
Circle of Seasons Charter School,
a Waldorf-methods public school, in
Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, offers a head
start on empowerment for K–4 students
(CircleOfSeasons.org).

The Natural Learning School, in
Memphis, Tennessee, guides toddlers
through elementary school kids with
whole-child education, including arts
and green learning (NLSMemphis.com).

Kids Food Basket
Kids Food Basket is a nonprofit organization attacking childhood hunger to
help young people learn and live well.
(Grand Rapids, 616-235-4532 and
Muskegon 231-747-8575)

WMCAT
WMCAT is an innovative, forwardthinking organization grounded in the
symbiotic relationship between space,
technology and best-practice programming to provide equitable access to opportunity. (Grand Rapids. 616-454-7004
or WMCAT.org)

Women in Transition –
Girls on the Run Program
The goal of the program is to unleash
confidence through accomplishment
while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.
(Allegan and Ottawa Counties
616-494-1719 or shylab@cwitmi.org)

Black River Public School
A Montessori-based elementary school
that fosters student achievement and responsibility in smaller sized classes and
individualized learning plans to enhance
advancement. (Holland 616-355-0055
or BlackRiverPublicSchool.org)

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
A summer school of the arts located
on a 1,400 acre campus in Michigan’s
Manistee National Forest, offers fine
arts education for all ages.
(Twin Lake 231-894-1966
or BlueLake.org)

natural awakenings

August 2016

19

healingways

Salt Air in the City
Salt Rooms Soothe Allergies
and Skin Conditions
by Avery Mack

A

ccording to the Asthma and
Allergy Foundation of America,
as many as 50 million Americans
are affected by seasonal or year-round
nasal allergies. Additionally, 56 million
suffer from eczema, psoriasis or rosacea.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs
may help, but aren’t a cure. Salt therapy
can be a gentler, all-natural solution for
easing associated symptoms.
While eating too much salt is bad
for the body, breathing it is a healthy
activity. The Greek word for salt is halos,
and halotherapy provides a welcome
alternative to conventional pills, sprays
and injections.
In the mid-1800s, after salt mine
workers in Poland were found to have a
low rate of respiratory illness, the Wieliczka Salt Mine Health Spa was established on the site of a mine to treat clinic
patients for asthma and allergies. That
pioneering facility is still in operation.
“In the beginning, I think salt
therapy was seen as a time-consuming
novelty. Now, holistically minded
people are more supportive,” says
Clay Juracsik, owner of the St. Louis
Salt Room, in Maplewood, Missouri.
The room’s walls are covered in salt,
with blocks of backlit Himalayan

20

West Michigan Edition

NaturalWestMichigan.com

pink salt at floor level. Clients wear
disposable booties to walk through
inches-deep, loose, mineral-rich Dead
Sea salt to reclining chairs. The lights
dim, soft music plays and salt, rich
in negative ions, infuses the air for a
45-minute session.
“We have a second, smaller
room where the walls and floor are not
salted, so a child and parent can move
around or play without disturbing others.
Our youngest client was 2 weeks old,”
says Juracsik.
With the help of specially designed
machines and software, microscopic
salt particles one to five microns in
size are circulated through the air
to be deeply inhaled. As a natural
anti-inflammatory agent, salt helps
reduce swelling of throat tissues and
nasal passages, making breathing
easier for individuals suffering from
such respiratory ailments as allergies,
asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis.
“True halotherapy is based on
using 99 percent pure sodium chloride
in the halogenerator,” says Leo Tonkin,
co-founder of the Salt Therapy Association, in Boca Raton, Florida. “Dead
Sea, Himalayan or other salts can be
used as décor.”

“My husband, Gary, had three sinus
surgeries before he discovered a
salt room during a trip to London and
had a eureka moment,” relates Ellen
Patrick, owner of four Breathe Easy
salt rooms in New York City and nearby
Westchester County.
“A client’s 4-year-old son tells Mom
when he needs a treatment to ‘make his
nose work better,’” reports Lisa Cobb,
owner of Luxury on Lovers, in Dallas,
Texas. “He uses a salt bed similar in style
to a tanning bed and large enough for his
mother to be with him for a 20-minute
treatment. Pilots and flight attendants
like salt rooms to counteract the recirculated air on planes. Athletes use them
to increase lung capacity. A treatment
works like a visit to the ocean.”
A recent pilot study conducted
at The Salt Room, in Orlando, Florida,
and published in the International
Journal of Respiratory and Pulmonary
Medicine, concluded, “Halotherapy
is associated with improvement in

For a list of U.S.
salt rooms, see
Tinyurl.com/
SaltSpaLocations.
symptoms of sinus disease in cystic
fibrosis and should be explored as an
adjunct treatment.”
Salt’s anti-inflammatory, antifungal
and antibacterial properties may also
reduce skin swelling and itchiness, and
even acne, without drying the skin. Increased lung capacity aids blood
circulation, which also helps improve
skin health. Salt room operators note that
frequent treatments are needed during
early stages of therapy or during acute
outbreaks of conditions, but can be reduced to a maintenance level over time.
Juracsik remarks, “The best success
I’ve seen is with respiratory ailments
like bronchitis and pneumonia. We

don’t need a new, fancy pill for every
illness. Salt is historically proven to be
a natural and effective way to improve
respiratory health.”
Options go beyond basic treatments. “Meditating in the salt room
allows double relaxation,” comments
Patrick. “Salty yoga is one of my favorite
therapies because clients can exercise
and breathe easier at the same time.
Another option comprises a sound
bath, during which crystal bowl music
creates a vibration similar to piano
notes to quiet and focus the mind
during a salt session.”
Salt treatments can be experienced
regularly, seasonally or as needed. For
those free of respiratory issues, a salt
room visit provides a refreshing way
to relax, sit, chill and breathe. Patrick
views it as a form of stress management
to increase well-being.
Connect with the freelance writer via
AveryMack@mindspring.com.

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pelling effects may well catalyze us to
consistently step out for a daily walk,
understanding that cumulative steps
count, too. For more inspiration, check
out this month’s race walking at the
Summer Olympics.
Walking helps heart health and
diabetes. According to the U.S. Surgeon
General’s Call to Action on Walking program launched last fall, the risk of heart
disease and diabetes can be significantly
reduced via an average of 22 minutes
a day of brisk walking. “Physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of
heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain
cancers, osteoporosis, cognitive decline
and even depression,” says Dr. JoAnn
Manson, chief of the division of preventive medicine at Boston’s Brigham and
Women’s Hospital. “Can you imagine if
there was a pill that could simultaneously
have all those benefits? Everyone would
be clamoring for it.”
Walking reduces anxiety and clears
thinking. The results of a national survey
of nearly 3,000 women between the
ages of 42 and 52 published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports
& Exercise found that those that walked
as part of a regular physical activity
showed fewer signs of depression compared with inactive women. The more
physical activity a woman logged, the
less likely she was to exhibit such symptoms, suggesting that moderate-to-intense levels of exercise may help protect
against mental illness. The survey further
revealed that 85 percent believe walking
helps reduce any present anxiety and
feelings of depression, while two-thirds
reported that walking stimulates their
thinking.
Walking facilitates doctor-patient
communication. Columbus, Ohio-based
Walk with a Doc (WalkWithADoc.org)
helps organize free walking events each
month via 230 chapters nationwide.
They’re led by physicians and other
healthcare authorities. “It’s a casual forum
in which to communicate and also learn
about the health benefits of walking,” says
Executive Director Rachael Habash, who’s
aiming for 350 chapters by year’s end.
When doctors emphasize the benefits of
exercise, patients tend to listen.
Walking boosts life performance.
“Until the late 1960s, 90 percent of
America’s children that lived up to a

The moment my legs
begin to move, my
thoughts begin to flow.
~Henry David Thoreau
mile away walked to school. Today,
that figure is 30 percent,” says Sheila
Franklin, of the National Coalition
for Promoting Physical Activity, in
The Walking Revolution documentary
(scroll to the video at EveryBodyWalk.
org). Experts warn that less walking by
youngsters can create sedentary habits
and lead to shortened life spans.
Daily walks to school boost cognitive performance in students, according
to Mary Pat King, the National Parent
Teacher Association director of programs
and projects. Dr. Richard Jackson, a pediatrician, professor and chair of Environmental Health Sciences at the School of
Public Health at University of California,
Los Angeles,. and former environmental
health director at the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control, reports that walking improves children’s learning ability, concentration, moods and creativity.
Even lifelong walkers are moved to
walk more by using a pedometer to track
their steps and distance traveled, says
Dr. Lauren Elson, a physical medicine
and rehabilitation instructor at Harvard
Medical School, who is also the medical
editor of the recent Harvard Special
Health Report Walking for Health

(Health.Harvard.edu/walk). A metareview of 26 studies found that using
the device raised physical activity levels
by nearly 27 percent, adding about
2,500 steps per day. Most stores that sell
exercise equipment offer inexpensive
pedometers, while smartphone users can
download an app such as Moves, Breeze
or Pedometer++. Apple’s iOS includes
the free app Health.
Walking leads to meaningful exchanges. Social connections and honest
conversations between two people can
be aided by walking outside instead of
sitting inside. Clay Cockrell, a licensed
clinical social worker in New York City,
began walking with clients 12 years
ago. He notes that casual venues like
parks have been especially helpful for
men. “They sometimes have a more
difficult time making eye contact in sessions. Outside, they are looking where
they are going, looking at nature, other
people—the pressure is less. My own
health has improved, as well,” he says.
He shares ideas with the public and
other therapists at WalkAndTalk.com to
maximize the benefits. He sees moving the body forward along a path as a
metaphor for moving forward in life.
Adds Habash, “We believe that
engaging in health should be simple
and fun, like putting one foot in front of
the other at every opportunity.”
Randy Kambic is an Estero, FL, freelance writer and editor who regularly
contributes to Natural Awakenings.

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natural awakenings

August 2016

23

consciouseating

A GOOD
FOOD FIGHT
Keeping Food Out
of the Trash Bin
by April Thompson

A

s much as 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. is wasted, even as one
in six Americans goes hungry. Instead of feeding people better, we are feeding the city dump. Of all types of trash, food consumes the most space in
our municipal landfills, followed by plastic and paper. Rotting food then releases
harmful methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
While food waste is a big problem, social entrepreneurs see a big opportunity.
Around the country, they are working to reduce, recover and rethink discarded food
valued at more than $160 billion a year. In the process, they are not only cutting food
costs, but also creating jobs and fighting climate change.
University of Maryland College Park alumna Cam Pascual co-founded the nonprofit Food Recovery Network (FRN) after watching hundreds of pounds of food hit
the trash in her campus dining hall every night. Pascual and her colleagues mobilized a volunteer network to shuttle leftovers from the university to soup kitchens,
donating 200 meals a night to feed the hungry.
In the last five years, FRN has recovered more than 1 million pounds of food
from 184 campuses in 42 states, proving that ingenuity and philanthropy can together fight the food waste travesty. “There are two major barriers to recovering leftover
food; one is awareness, like helping businesses to understand the laws that protect
them from liability,” says Pascual, the organization’s current director of innovation
and operations. “The other is the labor involved. Universities are the perfect ecosystem for food recovery because college students have flexible schedules and are community service-minded, offering a ready supply of volunteers.”
The latest FRN initiative is a certification program to verify that farms and
restaurants are engaging in food recovery that includes creating a toolkit to help
restaurants safely recover leftover meals.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of
Agriculture recently set a goal of slashing food waste in half by 2030, with sev-

24

West Michigan Edition

NaturalWestMichigan.com

Food waste reduction can
be engineered in ways less
noticeable to consumers,
such as doing away with
dining hall trays or using
smaller plates.
~Cam Pascual

eral supporting bills approaching the
floor in Congress. The EPA food recovery hierarchy calls for reducing food
waste first and foremost, with recovering food to feed people or animals as a
fallback and utilizing landfills only as
a last resort.
“It’s one thing to set goals, but to
realize those reductions in food waste,
we have to change our behavior,” says
Jonathan Bloom, author of American
Wasteland: How America Throws Away
Nearly Half of Its Food (and What We
Can Do About It). Farms and households are the two largest generators of
food waste, according to Bloom, whose
blog at WastedFood.com offers dozens
of beneficial tips for keeping food out
of the trash bin.
Fighting food waste starts before we
go to the grocery. Bloom recommends
consumers organize cupboards to know
what’s already in stock, plan meals and
stick to the shopping list. Post-purchase,
easy tips include serving smaller portions,
freezing leftovers and sharing surplus
with friends and neighbors.
Bloom’s website fans contribute
more ideas like mixing veggie scraps
into pet food or making them into soup
stock. Using a smaller refrigerator keeps
shoppers from bulking up while saving
energy costs. The battle against wasted
food needs to start at home, where
small steps add up to big change.
Connect with freelance writer April
Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at
AprilWrites.com.

onathan Bloom speaks to college students
around the U.S. explaining how fighting food
waste requires changing beliefs and behaviors
about food. “Recognize that taste should trump
appearance, and don’t be so concerned with
superficialities,” is a leading message. He cites
replicable countermeasures like Hungry Harvest
and Imperfect Produce,
both predicated upon giving “ugly produce” a
second chance. Based in Washington, D.C., and
San Francisco’s
Bay Area, respectively, these businesses offer
low-cost home delivery of surplus produce,
much of which is rejected for not meeting grocery stores’ high cosmetic standards.
Here are more examples of the community
pioneers working to divert food from overstuffed
landfills to people.
Daily Table (DailyTable.org) purchases excess food from growers, manufacturers and supermarkets to provide healthy food at fast-food
prices for populations in need. The Dorchester,
Massachusetts, retail grocery store offers fresh
produce and grocery items, plus ready-to-cook
and grab-n-go
prepared meals.
Fruitcycle (TheFruitcycle.com) makes healthy
dried snacks from produce that would otherwise
be tossed. The Washington, D.C.-area business also
provides jobs for formerly incarcerated, homeless
or otherwise disadvantaged women.
Food Cowboy (FoodCowboy.com) reroutes
food rejected by distributors. Truck drivers use a
mobile app to communicate availability of such
produce and find a charity or compost site to accept it.
Re-Nuble (Re-Nuble.com) transforms food
waste into affordable, organic fertilizer for hydroponic growing, thus contributing a solution to
hunger.
BluApple (TheBluApple.com) makes a plastic, fruit-shaped device that can triple the shelf
life of refrigerated food. It absorbs ethylene, a
naturally occurring gas that accelerates spoilage.

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natural awakenings

August 2016

25

wisewords

Barnet Bain on How
Creativity Can Save the World
Fresh Thinking Challenges
Rigid Mindsets
by Linda Sechrist

ilmmaker Barnet
Bain’s credits include
writer/director of
Milton’s Secret, due out
this fall, starring Donald
Sutherland and Michelle
Rodriguez and based
on Eckhart Tolle’s book,
producer of the Oscarwinning What Dreams May
Come, executive producer
of the Emmy-award nominee Homeless to Harvard and writer/producer of
The Celestine Prophecy movie. Now, as
author of The Book of Doing and Being:
Rediscovering Creativity in Life, Love,
and Work, he offers tools that everyone
can use to develop a creativity practice
designed to move us beyond our unconscious hand-me-down worldview,
escape mental and emotional straightjackets and unlock great reservoirs of
imagination. In so doing, we discover
we can create anything we like; from a
work of art to a fulfilling relationship.

More than ever before, the nature of
human consciousness today is making it
apparent that we live inside stories and are
pushing up against their edges. Strategies
we’ve used to try to attain control, success
or empowerment—structured ideas about
how the world works, false assurances
and guarantees about life—may not be
working. As a result, we are mired in
anxiety, stress and crises. It all offers us the
opportunity to wake up to a larger truth
that supersedes everything else: We must
discover where our true safety resides, in
building newly intelligent relationships
within, as well as with others, using capacities beyond logic and reason.

NaturalWestMichigan.com

Why do we need
an internal sense
of safety?
Safety found within shows
up in our experiences of
the world. As we become
increasingly reliant on and
confident in our creative
skills to survive and thrive,
we give ourselves the gift
of resilience in chaos.
Humanity’s creativity must be
awakened in order to meet the challenges of a changing world and effectively address problems that appear to
have too few solutions. The same inner
awareness and skill set that give birth to
the creative process can be applied to
all aspects of life. Only through creative
acts can we rise above unworkable
paradigms, group thinking and earlier
conditioning to create new and more
fluid stories that grow from revised
thoughts, beliefs, choices and attitudes
that mature from the inside out.
Deep, compassionate understanding of how we arrived at this point
allows us to shed restrictions. It begins
with facing the whys and wherefores of
our most intimate consciousness.

How do male and female
energies play into this?
Everyone possesses both masculine
and feminine energies; neither is better
or less valuable than the other. Doing and acting characterize masculine
energy, which makes things. It builds,
structures, orders and files. Being
characterizes the feminine, womb-like
energy, pregnant with possibilities and
subsequent manifested outcomes. The

capacities to imagine, feel and receive
also are feminine. In the dance with
the masculine, the harmony of these
feminine qualities is the primal desire
for and the impulse of creativity itself.
When the masculine and feminine
energies are balanced and intimately
joined, they express the ability to act,
create, manifest, build and bring order.
When we learn how to balance them,
we become more creative and effective, individually and collectively. We
are better at meeting challenges and
responding to opportunities.

How does chauvinism
block creativity?
Chauvinism, an elevation of masculine

over feminine energy, would separate
us from our feelings. It does violence
to femininity and castrates legitimate
masculinity. The mildest trace of such
subordination diminishes and reduces
primal creative energies to second place,
so that nothing new can arrive. Civilization suffers from this systemic disorder
to the degree that we believe our needs
won’t be met unless we are controlling
or relying disproportionately on action
principles. A culture that elevates doing
over being is ignorant of how to pop
the clutch and shift into neutral, and so
keeps driving down the same road without hope of changing direction.
When spirituality was more alive
inside religious traditions, we honored
the sanctity of the Sabbath and the

importance of putting aside doing in
order to be intimate with the mystery of
life. It’s what breathes new life into our
thoughts and feelings, arousing body,
mind and spirit to new heights.
Every creator understands that all
creativity is a gift of the feminine energy
and a gift of the gods. Integrative masculine energies are always constellated
around such a gift. Allowing ourselves
to become intimate with a greater state
of being rather than doing, we open
ourselves to receiving a new relationship with life.
Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer
for Natural Awakenings. Connect at
ItsAllAboutWe.com.

Contact us to learn about marketing opportunities and become a member of the Natural Awakenings community at:

616.604.0480 • publisher@naturalwestmichigan.com
natural awakenings

August 2016

27

inspiration

EARTH GUARDIANS
Kids Say No to Global Warming
by April Thompson

A
There is a fountain

of youth: it is your
mind, your talents, the
creativity you bring to
your life and the lives
of people you love.
When you learn to tap
this source, you will
truly have defeated age.
~Sophia Loren

28

West Michigan Edition

t age 6,
climate
change
activist Xiuhtezcatl
Martinez gave his
first speech to a
packed crowd in
his hometown of
Boulder, Colorado.
Raised in the Aztec
tradition, he was taught
that as indigenous people, they
are descendants of the land and inherit
a duty to protect it.
“I felt such sadness that my generation inherited this crisis to clean up.
That night, I saw that those emotions
could be channeled into action and my
voice could make a difference,” says
Martinez, founder and youth director
of the nonprofit Earth Guardians.
Ten years later, his impassioned
message has sparked a global movement. More than 2,000 “youth crews”
from Bhutan to Brazil are fighting
climate change and improving their
communities in other ways.
These activists aren’t yet old
enough to vote, but are still making
their voices heard by global policymakers. On their behalf, Martinez
delivered a plea to representatives
from 192 countries at the United
Nations General Assembly meeting
on climate change last year, asking for
stronger measures to protect both the
planet and its people. He particularly
pointed to the ever-increasing “climate
refugees” that have lost their homes to
rising oceans and other havoc caused
by Earth’s warming trend.
Although Martinez serves on
President Obama’s youth council, he

NaturalWestMichigan.com

and 20 other young
plaintiffs filed a
landmark lawsuit
earlier this year
against the federal
government for
failing to protect its
citizens from climate
change. The plaintiffs
are seeking a court order
requiring America’s president to establish a national plan
to decrease atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide to “safe” levels
by 2100.
At home, Martinez is working
with Boulder County community and
environmental organizations to locally
eliminate pesticides from parks, charge
for plastic bags at retail, regulate coal
ash emissions and ban fracking.
EarthGuardians.org offers many
ways anyone can plug into the movement, whether taking individual actions to lighten our carbon footprint,
creating school gardens or signing
its Silence into Action pledge, inspired by Martinez’s younger brother
Itzcuauhtli’s 45-day silence strike for
climate action.
“The most important thing you
can do is educate yourself. Whatever
makes you come alive, use that passion
to make a difference,” says Martinez,
whose performances as a pianist and
hip-hop artist inform and enliven music
festivals worldwide. “Together, we can
create a legacy we can be proud to
pass on to the next generation.”
Connect with freelance writer April
Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at
AprilWrites.com.

beinspired
Only in an open, nonjudgmental space
can we acknowledge what we are feeling.
Only in an open space
where weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not all caught up
in our own version of reality
can we see and hear and feel who others really are,
which allows us to be with them
and communicate with them properly.
Pema Chodron

natural awakenings

August 2016

29

healthykids
drop in original thinking that happens as students move into early
adolescence,” reports Daniel Pink,
author of A Whole New Mind.
Creativity isn’t only child’s
play; parents also could do well
to infuse their own lives with its
discoveries and delights. “Through
creativity, parents can reawaken a
sense of wonder and joy, and
nurture characteristics like
patience,” says Julia
Cameron, author of
The Artist’s Way for
Parents: Raising Creative Children.

hether it’s playing dress-up,
making forts from sofa
cushions or drawing pictures, creative moments can define and
distinguish a happy childhood. Yet it’s
not all just fun and games, according to
experts. Childhood creativity, nurtured
both in the classroom and at home, is
crucial for developing qualities such as
sound decision-making, flexible thinking and mental resiliency.
Analyzing more than 150 studies across the fields of psychology,
neuroscience, education and business
management, the Center for Childhood Creativity, in Sausalito, California,
found many important life skills are
affiliated with a creative upbringing.
The resulting white paper, Inspiring a
Generation to Create, underscores that
rather than simply being an innate trait,
creativity can be taught.
“Creativity should be an integral
part of every child’s education. The
research shows that we can avoid the

NaturalWestMichigan.com

Engaging Parents

Cameron wrote the book in
part to guide her own daughter,
actress and film director
Domenica Cameron-Scorsese, in her
creative journey through motherhood.
While many such works focus on art
projects for kids, Cameron’s book emphasizes activities that put creative fuel
in the parental tank. For example, she
recommends parents take up the ritual of
“morning pages”; writing three pages
of stream-of-consciousness thoughts the
first thing each morning.
Jean Van’t Hul, author of The Artful
Parent, started a daily sketchbook practice for herself and to set an example
for her kids. “I like that the kids see me
creating regularly and they’ve joined
in a couple times. I also want to get
over my self-limited belief that I’m not
a good artist,” remarks Van’t Hul, who
blogs at ArtfulParent.com.

Engaging Kids

A family ritual, like a bedtime story or
relationship with a pet, can be re-imagined to inspire household members to
co-create together. “Instead of always
reading to my kids, we take turns making up stories by ‘giving’ each other
three things, like an airplane, a shovel
and a pair of pants, which we have to
use in a story,” says Nicole Corey Rada,
a working mother of two in Richmond,
Virginia. “Sometimes, we pretend our
pets are having conversations, and use
different voices and accents to express
what they might be saying, given their

Every child and parent is
creative. Exercising our
creativity is an act of faith.
~ Julia Cameron
circumstance at the time. This is a family
favorite; we laugh constantly.”
Mark Runco, Ph.D., a University of
Georgia professor of gifted and creative
education, founder of the Creativity
Research Journal and advisor to the
Center for Childhood Creativity, notes
the importance of balancing unstructured and structured activities, creating
space for both individual expression
and creative collaboration.
To foster the former, Van’t Hul
encourages “strewing”, which she refers
to as “the art of casually yet strategically leaving invitations for learning
and creativity out for kids to discover
on their own.” Invitations to play could
be a basket of non-toxic blocks, a
recycled-paper sketchpad opened to a
blank page or some nature finds from a
walk in the woods.
As an example of the latter,
Cameron suggests that parents lead kids
on a weekly creative expedition, allowing the kids to choose a new place to
aimlessly explore such as a park, bookstore, pet shop or museum. According to the author, that sense of shared
adventure, fostered in a safe space,
naturally nurtures the creative process,
both for now and the future.
“If you make art the center, insisting that kids be creative, they may feel
a sense of pressure,” advises Cameron.
“If you make inspiration the center, it
spills over into art.”
Connect with freelance writer April
Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at
AprilWrites.com.

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out
till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.
~John Muir
Renew

Since ancient times, gardens have been
employed as a place of healing for body
and spirit. Japanese healthcare providers prescribe shinrin-yoku, meaning,
“walking in forests to promote health”
or “forest bathing”. Its intent is to use
sight, sound and smell to connect with
nature through stress-reducing, meditative walks.
Based on a program created by the
Morikami Japanese Gardens, in Delray
Beach, Florida, Washington state’s
Bloedel Reserve, on Bainbridge Island,
conducts Strolls for Well-Being. Partici32

West Michigan Edition

pants sign up for a free, 10-week session
of 12 self-guided walks and three group
meetings. A companion workbook is provided to encourage journaling on themes
such as forgiveness, gratitude and joy.
“Public gardens are a safe place
where people can focus and do the
work,” says Erin Jennings, with Bloedel.
“We see people that wish to reflect
and refuel or simply be more aware
and intentional in life.” With 150 acres
of natural woodlands and landscaped
areas, ranging from a moss garden to
a bird marsh, participants can take as
much time as they need.

NaturalWestMichigan.com

Photo courtesy of The Boiron Medicinal Garden at the Rodale Institute

greenliving

Bees are an integral part of any flowering garden, and Spikenard Farm
Honeybee Sanctuary, in Floyd, Virginia,
sustainably hosts 30 hives on six acres
adjacent to a field planted with buckwheat, mustard, sunflowers and clover
for its biodynamic beekeeping. An
orchard on the property dovetails with
an organic farm next door. Tours, talks,
plant sales, food and music enhance
the hospitality.
Hope Hill Lavender Farm, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, adds lavender to
soap, sugar scrubs, lotion and essential
oil. “It takes 11 pounds of hand-picked
fresh blossoms to make one ounce of
essential oil,” says Troy Jochems, coowner with his wife, Wendy. A member of the mint family, lavender adds
distinctive flavor and fragrance to both
sweet and savory dishes (find recipes
at HopeHillLavenderFarm.com). Visit
the farm on summer weekends through
mid-August and plan to partake of the
annual lavender festival next June.
In Glen Allen, Virginia, visitors
enjoy a cool serving of lavender lemonade or honey ice cream at Lavender
Fields Herb Farm after a stroll through
the garden. Greenhouse tours and fall
classes on growing herbs, vegetables
and lavender include how to make an
herbal wreath.

Restore

Tea Wellness classes and tastings of
fair trade heirloom varieties are a big
draw at Light of Day Organics, in
Traverse City, Michigan. They’re taught
by founder and horticulturist Angela
Macke, a registered nurse. It’s the only
dual-certified organic and Demeter
Biodynamic commercial grower of tea
plants in North America.
The Boiron Medicinal Garden at
the Rodale Institute, in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, emphasizes the importance of
plants in homeopathy. Maggie Saska,
plant production specialist with the
research farm, explains, “Walking tours
with educational signage in the garden
let visitors know which species to look
for when planting their own organic
healing garden. Plants from a store may
not be organically grown or of the correct species,” although a nursery may
afford more options.

Nature is my medicine.
~Sara Moss-Wolfe
Christophe Merville, D.Pharm.,
Boiron USA director of education and
pharmacy development, attests that
many familiar plants can offer benefits
beyond beauty, such as reducing stress,
promoting healing or easing congestion. He cautions, “People think plants
are naturally safe, but they can be dangerous. St. John’s wort extract, for example, can relieve mild depression, but
interacts with prescription medicines. It
also reacts to light, so users may experience rashes from sun exposure.
“Lemon balm can be made into an
antioxidant tea. It can be grown in a garden, on a balcony or indoors, and combines well with chamomile or lavender.
We like it for helping to relieve anxiety
or to improve mental performance.”
Merville suggests steeping German
chamomile tea for relaxing sleep.
He says breathing in the steam helps
a stuffy nose. When used as a compress, it can relieve pain and itch

from rashes. “Don’t drink too much or
make it too concentrated,” he warns,
because of its blood-thinning properties. Saska and Merville recommend
that enthusiasts take classes, work with
an herbalist and find a good reference
book. Merville prefers Rodale’s 21st
Century Herbal for beginners.
Vicki Nowicki, founder of Liberty
Gardens, in Downers Grove, Illinois,
observes, “The world is seeing the first
generations that don’t have a relationship with the land or know how to
grow their own food.” Its seed-lending
library, classes and tours, along with
other healing gardens throughout the
country, aim to get everyone back to
basics including going outside.
Connect with freelance writer Sandra
Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@
mindspring.com.

There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents,
the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will
truly have defeated age.

Americans’
Inside Story
n Only 12 percent of U.S. adults go
outside nearly every day, 8 percent
several times a week and 6 percent
only once or twice a week. Two percent never venture outside.
n When U.S. adults take time out
of doors, just under a third spend
more than an hour there and almost
a quarter spend at least 30 minutes
while the rest average five to 10 minutes or less.
n Thirty-eight percent of Americans
55 years and over invest at least an
hour outside each day, compared to
25 percent of those under 35.
Source: National Recreation and Park
Association

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communityspotlight

S

ummer and Fall offer some of the
best opportunities for fun in West
Michigan. People who are from this
area feel truly blessed to live so close to
the many festivals, concerts and outdoor
activities. Locals know the wonders of
life here, but vacationers may not realize
just how close they are to all the special
activities available to them.
The Michigan Irish Music Festival is
just one of those events that has grown
and developed since its inception 17
years ago. What began as a small, grass
roots festival has now developed into a
vibrant four-day event that boasts over
900 committed volunteers. According to
their website, last year the festival gained
its highest attendance ever with over
21,000 patrons. Laura Holmes, festival
marketing director and board member,
states that about 75% of volunteers are
repeat volunteers. “The reason the Irish
Fest is so successful has to do with the
number of committed, experienced people. The board
is directly
involved with
the festival,
and the leadership and planning committees are really
dedicated,”
says Holmes.
Traditional Irish culture

surrounds Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon throughout this festival,
which is packed with Irish music bands,
dancers, delicious food, drinks and
specialty vendors. Young attendees can
find a little fun at the Wee Ones tent
area with crafts and activities designed
just for them. In the quaint tea room
tent, patrons can enjoy hot tea and delicious treats. For the whiskey lovers in
the crowd, the popular Whiskey Snug
tent is available, as well. At the Highland Games area, men and women
can participate in various traditional
competitive activities. On Sunday, there
is a traditional Irish Catholic Mass,
which is free for anyone to attend. With
something for all ages, it is sure to be a
memorable experience.
Currently, over 20 bands are slated
to perform this September on five stages. Genres range from traditional Irish
folk music to more contemporary Irish
tunes. Patrons can freely roam from tent
to tent experiencing the
different bands
and activities.
What makes
this festival
special is
its generous
nature and
outpouring of
cash and food
donations over

the years. Patrons are encouraged to
bring in non-perishable items throughout the weekend to be donated. According to Holmes, “We’ve given over
$25,000 cash over the past three years
to Loaves and Fishes, Kids Food Basket
and Salvation Army Food Pantry.”
Holmes notes that the time of year
for the festival was strategically chosen
to help the surrounding community
thrive during the month of September,
delighting area business. Hotels fill up
during a time of the year that would otherwise not be as busy and restaurants as
well as other service oriented businesses
also see an increase in their sales, which
helps the whole community.
Friday night is a popular family
night with free entry between 5 pm and
6 pm. This night is sponsored by Family
Financial Credit Union. Patrons can
enjoy a preview of what the festival is
about, enjoy food and listen to music.
Many area organizations sponsor this
festival, making it truly a community
wide event. Saturday tends to be the
busiest day with
all activities and
tents open.
Over the
years, Muskegon has really
developed into
a desirable
place to visit
for both family and adult-orientated events. The
Irish Music Festival is definitely one of
those events to add to the calendar this
September. Make it a date or a family
outing or to really get involved with
something truly special, choose a volunteer opportunity. Several areas of the
festival are still in need of volunteers.
The festival runs September 15
-18 and has multiple ticket price
options including weekend passes,
and children 12 and under enter for
free. Buy ahead online for discounted
tickets. Visit michiganirish.org for
more information or to register for
a volunteer opportunity. Heritage
Landing is located at 701 Shoreline
Drive in downtown Muskegon.
Julie Reynolds is a contributing writer
and has a background in advertising,
teaching, writing and real estate. She can
be contacted at ReynJ36@gmail.com

HANDLE WILD
THINGS WITH CARE
How to Help Injured Animals
by Sandra Murphy

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W

hen encountering a bird or
animal that appears to be
abandoned, take only minimal steps to help. “People mean well
but a lot of rescues we see, didn’t need
help,” says Lacy Campbell, wildlife
care center operations manager for the
Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon.
Make sure the animal is away from
traffic or predators, and then call a local wildlife rehabilitator before taking
further action, especially if the animal
is injured.

Vulnerable Little Ones

616.604.0480
38

West Michigan Edition

Baby squirrels can fall out of the nest.
“Leave him at the base of the tree,”
says Jennifer Keats Curtis, author of the
children’s book Squirrel Rescue. “Mom
will rebuild the nest before coming to
get her baby. If it’s cold, put it in a box
with a towel. Once squirrels have been
treated as a pet, they can’t be released.”
Tiny, not-yet-feathered nestlings
should be returned home; it’s a myth
that human scent poses a problem.
If the nest is out of reach or can’t be
located, make one with a box and soft
cloth. Put it in the tree, so the parents
can resume feeding. Leave the area so
as not to frighten them.
NaturalWestMichigan.com

“After young robins, scrub jays,
crows and owls leave the nest, they
typically spend up to a week on the
ground before they can fly,” says
Campbell. “At night, the parents will
escort the fully feathered fledglings to
safety beneath a bush.”
In parks, ducks and geese may nest
away from the water. Mama will lead
her babies to the pond, even across
busy streets. If it’s safe, stop the car to
halt traffic, act as their crossing guard,
and then resume driving.
A box turtle operates on innate
GPS. “It lives in an area the size of a
football field,” explains Curtis. “It will
go onward, no matter how many times
people try to redirect it. If injured by
a car or lawn mower, the shell can be
mended by a rehab center.”
Bunnies eat at dusk and dawn. Inbetween, the nest may look abandoned.
“Wild baby rabbits are difficult to keep
alive if injured,” says Curtis. “At sundown, see if mom returns; if not, they
need a wildlife rehab expert.”
A lone, young raccoon is either
old enough to climb a tree by itself
or the mother will carry it. If we feed
a raccoon, it will become a beggar.
Opossums are dramatic actors. When

The best outcome for
injured animals is rescue,
rehabilitation and return
to the wild.
cornered, they hiss and fall over and
play dead in a coma-like state for up
to four hours. Check back later. If a
mother possum has been killed by a
car, call a rehab official to check her
pouch for potential babies.
“If you find a young deer fawn or
moose calf, leave it. The mother comes
back several times each day to nurse,”
advises Amanda Nicholson, director of
outreach for the Wildlife Center of Virginia, in Waynesboro. “Its coloring helps
it remain undetected by predators.”

Other Unexpected
Encounters
“Don’t feed wild animals or leave out
food or accessible comestible trash.
Bobcats, wolves, bears and coyotes will
avoid people unless food is involved,”
cautions Jennifer Place, program associate for Born Free USA, a nonprofit
in Washington, D.C. “Wild animals
protect their space, food and young, so
stay on marked trails when hiking and
never turn your back on them.”
For unexpected meetings, stay
calm. “Make sure there’s an escape
route for the animal,” says Place.
“With foxes or coyotes, throw sticks or
small rocks, but don’t hit the animal.
Make yourself look large and yell.”
With snakes, sidestep away slowly
for more than six feet before walking
in the other direction. Bears require
a different response. “Speak in a low
voice so the bear realizes you are not
prey. Never climb a tree,” says Place.
“Bears know the terrain, can run faster
than a horse and can climb trees, too.
Sidestep away, remaining carefully
upright, calm and unthreatening. If the
bear moves toward you, keep talking
until he moves away. Running kicks in
its prey drive.”
Yellowstone Park regulations

require visitors to stay 25 yards away
from most wildlife and 100 yards away
from bears and wolves. Selfie photos
with animals can result in injury or
death for humans and animals through
carelessness; safety depends on good
judgement, respect and common sense.
Friends of wildlife know beforehand how to contact local rehabilitators
if there’s an emergency, observe before
taking action, and protect pets. “Always
leash dogs when going into the yard
at night and keep cats indoors,” says
Place. “Peaceful co-existence allows for
the safety of both people and animals,
domestic and wild.”
Connect with freelance writer Sandra
Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@
mindspring.com.

Wildlife
Transport Tips
If a wild animal is injured, wear
heavy gloves in its vicinity to avoid
being bitten or scratched. Completely
cover the animal with a blanket so it
stays relatively calm, and place it in a
carrier for transport to a rehabilitation
facility. A warm hot water bottle can
help ward off shock.
Do not give the animal water,
milk or food. Time is of the essence
to ward off dangers of stress. Wild
animals can carry disease without
appearing to be ill. Fleas, ticks and
mites are likely, so keep injured wildlife away from pets and children.

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Visit NaturalWestMichigan.com for guidelines and to submit entries. All Calendar
events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication.
Denotes an event sponsored by Natural Awakenings Magazine West Michigan.

Reading the Great Lakes –7-8:30 pm. Come explore the Lakes with us! We’ll read a range of titles
including mystery, history, fiction, and nonfiction
all taking place in the Great Lakes region—from
Chicago to Cleveland. This book club will be lead by
our librarians and will take place the first Thursday
of every month. Additional copies of the book are
available to be checked out on Level 4 of the Main
Library. Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library
St NE Grand Rapids. For info and complete list
of books: visit GRPL.org/rtgl or jhight@grpl.org
or call Jennie 616-988-5400. August’s selection is
Ravens in the Storm by Carl Oglesby.

MONDAY AUGUST 8

Writing Workshop – 6-8 pm. Get tools and support to discover the stories you carry. All experience
levels are welcomed in this 4¬-week series, led by
a Certified Leader of the Amherst Writers & Artists
Method. An energizing and supportive approach to
writing. Cost $125. Voice & Vessel, 2922 Fuller Ave
NE, Suite 112, Grand Rapids. Info & Register at
VoiceandVessel.com or call 616-350-6210.

SUNDAY AUGUST 14

Law of Attraction Discussion: Conversations
with Hermaden – 3:30pm. Learn to fine-tune the
intentional creation of your life. Join Graehme Hall
in a free law of attraction discussion group at 2:00
p.m. Or attend Conversations with Hermaden, a
group of wise and loving non-physical teachers to
have your questions answered. Cost $10. Hermaden
Institute Event Location: The Dominican Center
at Marywood, 2025 Fulton St. E., Grand Rapids,
MI 49503. For more info: visit Hermaden.org or
kghall@att.net

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17

Writing Circle – 6-8pm. Looking for a space that
will help you pause and set creative intentions? Join
us for a reflective writing circle. Includes readings,
writing prompts, and creative practices to connect
with your voice and stories. All experience levels are
welcomed. Cost $10. Voice & Vessel, 2922 Fuller
Ave NE, Suite 112. Grand Rapids Info & Register:
VoiceandVessel.com or emily@voiceandvessel.com
Essential Oils – 6:30pm. Learn the secrets of
great health through the power of essential oils
and chiropractic work! Two holistic professionals
Ilka Handshaw and Dr Ben Lucey will be honored
to speak to you. Lucey Chiropractic and Wellness
Center, 6504 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids. Free
CD and refreshments. Must RSVP 616-259-7509.

Ama-Deus Among Us – Last Monday of each
month. Alternates between 1-3pm and 6-8pm.
Energy healing forum. Meditation/healing sessions
for balancing and replenishing. Open to Ama-Deus
participants and those interested in experiencing
Ama-Deus healing method. Love offering. Unity
Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr SE, Ada.
Info: Kim at kimgo@me.com

savethedate
Save The Date Events

Must be submitted online each month at
NaturalWestMichigan.com. Events priced $80 or
more require a corresponding display ad. There is
a $40 charge per listing, up to 50 words. Current
advertisers, distribution sites or nonprofits, use this
listing in place of your two free listings.

Intuition Retreat – 9:00am - 4:00pm. A sacred
sanctuary, Oasis Retreats and Workshops are
for those seeking awareness for their life vision.
Tune into inner guidance, let go of beliefs that
no longer serve you and gain awareness of God’s
vision for your prosperous future. $111 includes
lunch and activities. Grand Rapids. Register or
sponsor: LUXCHIX.com/events.

savethedate
November 11

Experiential Reclamation Therapy for Men —
8:30am-4:30pm. A conference for therapists and
others who work with men. Explore an effective,
innovative, and integrated approach to Men’s
Wellness, Recovery, Emotional and Relational
Health. Presented by The Men’s Resource Center of West Michigan and Body and Soul Grand
Rapids. Event address: 2025 Fulton St E, Grand
Rapids. Info: visit menscenter.org/conference

monday
Hot Yoga – 5:30-6:45pm & 7-8:15pm. Sweat with
this active, energetic, athletic style of yoga with
traditional poses in a hot room. Not recommended
for people with heart or lung conditions or those
not engaged in regular exercise. $12 drop-in. Hearts
Journey Wellness Center, 6189 Lake Michigan Dr,
Allendale. Info:HeartsJourneyWellness.com. or
info@HeartsJourneyWellness.com.
The Practice of A Course in Miracles – 7-8:30pm.
Learn miracle-mindedness. Got joy? This is how to
have it. Hint: You already do. All are welcome. Free.
Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE, Grand
Rapids. 616-458-5095.

Wednesday
Yoga 101 – 9-10:15am. New to yoga? This is a great
class for you! Even if you’re not a beginner, this is a
wonderful refresher practice to fine tune your alignment and form. Your Inner Space, 451 Columbia
Ave, Holland. Info: 616-994-8087 or JoiDupre@
YourInnerSpace.net or www.yourinnerspace.net

classifieds
Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per
month. To place listing, email content
to publisher@naturalwestmichigan.
com. Deadline is the 10th of the month.
HELP WANTED
MASSAGE THERAPIST - Must be licensed
and very well experienced. $30/Hr. We provide
everything including a gorgeous water view and
hydraulic table that is handicap accessible. Must be
able to work Mon, Wed, Fri afternoons and every
other Saturday. Dr. Burcon will work closely with
you on difficult cases in order learn the nuances of
his patients. Must be able to perform deep tissue
massage, and we have some calls for CranioSacral
therapy. If you are knowledgeable in developing
x-rays or have experience as a chiropractic assistant,
the income is increased. We also have a generous
bonus program. Burcon Chiropractic, 3501 Lake
Eastbrook Blvd SE, Suite 252, Grand Rapids. Fax
resume to 616-575-9995 or e-mail to DrBurcon@
yahoo.com. For more info: 616-575-9990 or
BurconChiropractic.com

Stay Informed Throughout The Month @ NaturalWestMichigan.com

Well done is better than well said.
~Benjamin Franklin

44

West Michigan Edition

NaturalWestMichigan.com

thenaturaldirectory

ENERGY HEALING
MATRIX ENERGETICS

...connecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan. To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory, log-on to
NaturalWestMichigan.com/advertising.

ACUPUNCTURE
GRAND WELLNESS

Vikki Nestico, R.Ac.
Located at Renewal Skin Spa
6080 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids
616-940-1177 • GrandWellness.net
At Grand Wellness, we focus on a
holistic approach to wellness,
promoting healing through
acupuncture, herbal therapy and
lifestyle modifications. Call to set
up a free consultation to discuss
how Chinese medicine can help
your specific health concerns. See
ad, page 41.

BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION
WOOD & SAW

Andrew Gielczyk
Licensed Builder
616-834-2480 • WoodAndSaw.com
Wood & Saw is focused on
creating a sustainable high
quality of life for our clients.
Building simple, costeffective, energy-efficient,
toxic-free homes and
remodels that achieve the healthiest possible indoor
air quality. See ad, page 7.

Our doctors provide a
comprehensive solution to
resolving problems of the spine
and nervous system. Dr. Semrow
is one of 400 doctors in the
country certified in the functional
neurology protocol for neurostructural correction. See ad, page 13.

Family owned and operated in the
heart of downtown Grandville,
Dynamic Family Chiropractic
focuses on lifestyle improvements
through living a maximized life.
A safe and natural approach to
health through the combination
of exercise, nutrition,
detoxification and chiropractic care.

Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT
616-581-3885
ASenseOfFlow.com
Matrix Energetics is a system used
to heal, transform and create new
possibilities in your life. Using the
principles of quantum physics and
subtle energy during a Matrix
Energetics session we are able to
enter into different realties and
download new possibilities for
your mental, emotional, physical
and spiritual selves.

Young Living essential oils
are time tested, researched
based formulas that support
every aspect of living. As
seen on the Today Show,
essential oils impact all
areas of being by enhancing
a positive emotional state, bringing mental clarity,
supporting physical wellness, home cleaners, skin
care and promoting a deep spiritual awareness.
Income opportunities available! Member #:
3886397. See ad, page 2.

Become an Independent
Distributor. Discover the high
potency of therapeutically
authentic essential oils from
Young Living. Enhance your own
health, as well as others who seek
holistic wellness options. Free
training. See ad, page 10.

Pam works with highly –
motivated individuals as they
focus on their complex life
agendas and aim for their very
best life-work balance. This
provides a powerful framework
for building more effective
relationships while maintaining a
balanced and fulfilling personal life. See ad, page 44.

Hakomi Therapy can truly change
your life. It’s a mindfulnessbased, experiential therapy for
transforming the unconscious
patterns that keep you from the
love, joy, and fulfillment you
deserve. Offered with exquisite
care and attentiveness.

Rick Hayhurst
Wellness Services & Education
100 Blue Star Highway, Suite D, Douglas
269-568-5556 or 888-489-9660
Info@BodyBizInc.Biz • BodyBizInc.Biz
As a Clinical Massage
Therapist with 25 years of
training and experience,
Rick Hayhurst supports
patients back to health from
a whole person perspective.
Through following
conversational and visual cues, each session is a
unique journey of discovery inviting underlying
traumas to be revealed. Sessions are about creating
positive change, or healing, and may include any or
all of the following tools: traditional massage and
bodywork, guided imagery, wellness and energy
coaching, quietude, breath work, work with colors,
and specific vibrational frequencies or energies. See
ad, page 2.

Mary De Lange, CCT., LMT.
1003 Maryland Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
616-456-5033
HarmonyNHealth.net
Over 24 years of professional
experience and trained in a
complete range of modalities.
Whether you are seeking
relaxation, renewal or treatment
for a specific condition, Mary will
help find an approach that is
helpful for you. See ad, page 13.

MEDITATION/ENERGY WORK
BODY BIZ, INC.

Rick Hayhurst
Wellness Services & Education
100 Blue Star Highway, Suite D, Douglas
269-568-5556 or 888-489-9660
Info@BodyBizInc.Biz • BodyBizInc.Biz
Meditation is an opportunity
to receive energy, or
vibratory frequencies, that
can support you in your
daily life. If you’re
managing stress, pain, or
the various demands of life,
meditation can support you by bringing in the
energies needed to nurture and nourish each aspect.
As we meditate, together we’ll balance our bodies,
clear unneeded and unwanted energies and traumas
and then go on a journey to receive the desired
vibratory frequencies. See ad, page 2.

MEDITATION/REIKI
MOMENT OF PEACE

Claire Crowley BS, MM, 500 hr ERYT
1324 Lake Dr, Ste 7, Grand Rapids
616-295-1861
Moment-Of-Peace.com
An opportunity to experience
emotional and physical wellbeing
through meditation and reiki,
Moment of Peace aspires to help
you savor each moment, embrace
all that your life offers and
celebrate the joy of everyday. See
ad, page 7.

Rick Hayhurst
Wellness Services & Education
100 Blue Star Highway, Suite D, Douglas
269-568-5556 or 888-489-9660
Info@BodyBizInc.Biz • BodyBizInc.Biz
Remember those days at
Summer Camp where you
were with your friends all
day long; where you had
classes, but it didn’t feel like
school; where you were
enriched by experiences unique to camp; where you
look back fondly on the memories? Massage School
is very much like summer camp. New friends, new
experiences, and new skills; all the while, discovering
new parts of yourself! Flexible schedule and financial
plans available! See ad, page 2.

Join our 14th annual Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise for 7 nights on the luxurious
MSC Divina, one of the most ecologically-friendly and elegant cruise liners on the
seas. Bask in gracious Italian hospitality and service all while enjoying inspiring
lectures and vegan natural foods prepared by our own chefs. Departing from
Miami, FL and sailing to lush Ocho Rios, Jamaica; historic Georgetown, Cayman
Islands; sunny Cozumel, Mexico; & the paradise of Nassau, Bahamas. Learn more
about the classes, cuisine and itinerary at holisticholidayatsea.com.

Chosen by National Geographic Traveler as

ONE OF THE 1 00 BEST WORLDWIDE VACATIONS TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE

FEATURING WORLD-RENOWNED CHEFS, TEACHERS & HEALERS
Co-author of The China
Study and author of
Whole: Rethinking the
Science of Nutrition;
featured in the ﬁlm
Forks Over Knives